Page 56 of Collateral Claim

I nod. “We’re not getting married this month.”

“Rie, don’t give her a hard time.”

“You know my name?” Rie might hyperventilate. He grabs a folder and fans himself. “You got it, Mr. Macarley.”

“Good. When your sister shows up, tell her to take it easy. Yeah?”

Rie nods vehemently. “I will.”

Endo pulls me toward him and plants a kiss on my cheek. “My wedding has no budget,” he whispers into my ear, his stubble tickling my cheek.

Philip walks in with the bouquet of roses he held outside. “Sorry I’m late, Doc.” He’s in his chef’s uniform. “Mary sent me away when I came for my shift. I rushed to grab something for you.” He hugs me. “Thank you. I owe you one for saving his life.” He hands me the roses.

I accept them and sniff. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”

Marquis waves from inside the car. I wave back, and Endo’s people clear out. All but Endo. He stays behind and jerks his head at Rie, who disappears into the back of the clinic.

Once alone, I expect Endo to chastise me for saying we’re not getting married when he told me I needed to pretend that we’re engaged so he doesn’t have to kill anyone for messing with me.

“There’s nobody at the clinic,” he says. “Why won’t you come to the Keep?”

“I’m behind on my administrative work, and tomorrow is the weekend.”

Endo sighs. “I’m trying to rescue you from wedding planning. If you come with me, you don’t have to deal with anything else today.”

“Rie has already called his sister. They’ll be disappointed.”

“And we care because?”

“We work together.”

“You don’t work with him. You’re his boss.”

“That’s not how I see it.”

“A Macarley woman is the boss wherever she is. You should get used to that. For the time being.”

Endo heads out. At the door, he turns. “The tulips will wait for you at home.”

A redhead with freckles and clearly in her third trimester of pregnancy walks in. She carries a teal linen beach bag over her shoulder.

“I came as soon as I could. Dropped everything.” She dumps the bag in front of the desk, her messy bun sticking out on top of her head. “Are you Dr. Pembroke?”

I extend a hand. “Scarlett, yes.”

“And you’re marrying Endo Macarley?”

Rie rushes out from the back. “She is!’

His sister squeals. “Oh my God, a Macarley wedding!”

Guilt over wasting this woman’s time and lying to this entire town grips me like a clamp around my heart. I should have left with Endo.

Chapter 24

On his dime

Scarlett